We’ve all had that moment when an exciting opportunity slips through our fingers. I experienced this firsthand when I was invited to interview for a VP of Product role at one of the hottest Fintechs at the time. Everyone was buzzing about this company, and I couldn’t believe I landed the interview.
The hiring manager, Tim, gave me a case study—a half-page filled with questions—and three days to prepare for a presentation. I was both nervous and excited. After putting in hours of research, I built what I believed was an impressive presentation, even doing the interview while sick because I didn’t want to delay it. Two days later, Tim called and made me an offer. I couldn’t believe it—VP of Product for one of the most talked-about Fintechs in the market! It felt surreal, and I was filled with pride.
The Wrinkle in the Offer
But there was a catch. Initially, I was told the role would involve minimal travel—just one trip to New York per quarter, as the division was being built in San Francisco. However, after receiving the offer, I was told the travel would now be once a month. This gave me pause. I have kids, and I didn’t want to spend so much time away from them or home. My husband, ever the voice of reason, pointed out that they could easily change the travel schedule again to be even more frequent.
I decided to ask some questions about the increased travel. The answers I got were vague, and I started to feel uneasy. I told myself, “Maybe once a month isn’t so bad.” But something inside me hesitated. I didn’t get back to Tim for about a week. When I finally did, I received a surprising response: the offer was no longer on the table. Apparently, they had made offers to six people for four positions, and the first four who responded got the job. A detail they hadn’t shared with me earlier.
The Aftermath
I was crushed. For the next six months, I couldn’t stop thinking about what I had missed. I had even asked my current boss to be a reference, and now I had to tell her I wasn’t leaving. My ego was bruised, and I felt embarrassed. My husband kept reminding me that perhaps it was for the best—what if the travel increased even more? He had a point, but it still stung.
Looking back, though, I realize how much of a blessing it truly was.
The Unexpected Blessing
In the five years since that missed opportunity, many things have happened that I wouldn’t trade for anything. I ended up applying for an internal job change and was promoted two levels to lead Identity Management Innovations. This turned out to be one of the highlights of my career—building a team, making a significant impact, and growing in ways I hadn’t expected.
Then, fate took an even more interesting turn. I met one of the VP of Products who had accepted the offer I passed on. He told me that he spent 180 nights on the road during his first year. My husband was right—I would’ve hated it and probably would have quit within a few months.
And if that wasn’t enough validation, here’s the kicker: the “hot” Fintech I nearly joined? It was Marcus, and the VP role was for Apple Card. At the time, I didn’t even know Apple was the partner! Fast forward five years, and the headlines speak for themselves. Goldman Sachs is pulling out of the Apple Card deal, and the partnership is ending. The entire partnership was shaky from the start and a failure for Goldman Sachs.
The Bigger Picture
They say hindsight is 20/20, and in this case, it couldn’t be truer. What seemed like a missed
opportunity turned out to be a blessing in disguise. If I had taken that role, I would’ve spent a year on the road, missed precious moments with my family, and ended up in the middle of a corporate unraveling.
So, the next time you feel like you’ve missed out on something big, take a moment to reflect. Sometimes, the universe has a way of steering us in the right direction, even if it doesn’t seem like it at the time. That “missed” opportunity might just be the door to something better.